- Myth: I can’t donate if I have tattoos.
- Myth: I can’t donate if I got a piercing recently.
- Myth: I can’t donate if I’ve just been to the dentist.
- Myth: Blood can be manufactured.
- Myth: Blood donation is painful.
- Myth: Blood is only needed in times of emergency.
- Myth: Donating blood causes my body to start over producing blood cells.
- Myth: Donating blood makes you gain weight.
- Myth: Donating blood takes a long time.
- Myth: Donating blood will impact my ability to do my daily activities.
- Myth: Giving blood will harm me by taking away red cells or platelets that my body needs to function.
- Myth: I can catch an infectious disease by donating blood.
- Myth: I have a common blood type, so you don’t need my blood.
- Myth: Donating blood can harm my immune system.
- Myth: Other people are already giving enough blood.
- Myth: Vegetarians or vegans cannot donate blood.
- Myth: I cannot donate blood because I have diabetes.
- Myth: I can’t donate if I’ve had low hemoglobin (iron) levels in the past.
- Myth: I must make an appointment to donate blood.
- Myth: I should fast before I donate.
- Myth: I can’t donate blood when I’m on my menstrual cycle.
- Myth: Sometimes, needles and other materials are reused.
- Myth: I can’t donate blood because phlebotomists won’t be able to find my veins.
- Who can give blood?
- Where does my blood go?
- Which patients use what blood components?
- What types of photo ID are accepted?
- What tests are performed on blood?
- What happens when somebody tests positive for an infectious disease marker?
- What can I eat to raise my hemoglobin levels?
- Is it safe to receive blood transfusions?
- I don’t have sickle cell anemia, but I carry the trait. Can I still donate blood?
- What to expect after donating blood?
- How often can I donate blood?
- How much blood is taken?
- How long does it take?
- Can I donate blood for myself?
- When was Carter BloodCare founded?
- Can people with high blood pressure donate blood?
- Can people who have tested positive for HIV or AIDS donate blood?
- Can gay or bi-sexual men donate blood?
- What is Apheresis?
- How long can blood be stored?
- Are children allowed to accompany a donor to the donation location? Can I bring children with me when I donate?
- Can I donate if I have a physical disability and may need assistance?
Vaccines
Medically reviewed on February 1, 2026.
No waiting period
- COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States
- DTaP or DPT (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis)
- HPV (Gardasil®)
- Influenza (flu) vaccine (injection or nasal)
- RSV vaccine (Arexvy® and Abrysvo®)
- Shingles (SHINGRIX®, a two-dose vaccine)
- Tdap booster (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis)
Eligible after a waiting period
- Chicken pox (varicella zoster vaccine): 4 weeks
- Chikungunya (Ixchiq®): 4 weeks
- Hepatitis B vaccine: 2 weeks
- Hepatitis B immune globulin: 3 months
- Measles (rubeola): 2 weeks
- MMR (measles, mumps & rubella): 4 weeks
- Monkeypox/Smallpox
- ACAM2000 vaccine: 8 weeks or until scab falls off
- Jynneos® vaccine: 3 weeks from the last dose of the vaccine if given post-exposure
- Mumps: 2 weeks
- Polio (oral): 2 weeks
- Rubella (German measles): 4 weeks
- Shingles (Zostavax®, a single dose vaccine): 4 weeks
- Typhoid (oral): 2 weeks
- Yellow fever: 2 weeks
**Unlicensed/Research vaccines: 12 months**
Vaccine Summary
| Time period | Reason for deferral |
| 2 weeks | Measures, mumps, hepatitis B vaccine, polio (oral), typhoid (oral), yellow fever |
| 3 weeks | Jynneos monkeypox/smallpox vaccine, if given post-exposure |
| 4 weeks | Chickenpox, MMR, rubella, Zostavax |
| At least 8 weeks | ACAM2000 monkeypox/smallpox vaccine |
| 3 months | Hepatitis B immune globulin |
| 12 months | Unlicensed/research vaccine |
If your condition is not listed, or if you have questions regarding your eligibility to donate blood based on your specific diagnosis, contact Donor Notification at 817-412-5603 or DN@carterbloodcare.org.